Legal action taken for unregistered vehicles on Worcester Road

PRINCETON — Selectmen have voted to pursue legal action against Geoffrey Yaglou, of 171 Worcester Road, for 25 unregistered vehicles on his property.

Officials met in executive session on Oct. 12 and agreed to send a letter to Yaglou warning him that if he didn’t bring the property into compliance with the zoning bylaw and remove the vehicles, they would pursue legal action in Housing Court. The town bylaw states that no more than one unregistered vehicle may be parked on a property for more than six consecutive months and no junk vehicle may be parked in the open for more than 30 consecutive days.

Town Administrator John Lebeaux told selectmen that since last spring, building inspector John Wilson had been dealing with the issue of the unregistered vehicles. Lebeaux said that voters in 1993 added a non-criminal disposition to its zoning bylaws, allowing the town to go through housing court instead of Superior Court for violations.

“The first citation would have been $25 for each vehicle,” said Lebeaux. “That’s $25 each for 25 vehicles.”

The fines can reach $300 per vehicle each day and the court can determine the amount, said Wilson. Each day is a separate violation for each vehicle.

“There are two campers and two boats and two other vehicles with expired plates on the premises now,” Lebeaux added.

“So now he’s added to the number of vehicles,” said selectman Raymond Dennehy.

“The point isn’t to drive revenue,” said Lebeaux. “The citations and fines would be an effective tool to get compliance but that hasn’t happened.”

Lebeaux said he hand-delivered the letter to Yaglou on Oct. 13.

“At that time, he led me to believe he would take some action, but nothing has happened and he notified me he would be out of state and unable to attend this meeting,” said Lebeaux.

Select board chairman Joe O’Brien said he looked at the back of Yaglou’s property and saw a substantial number of vehicles parked there.

“It looked like nothing had changed,” said O’Brien. “I always hate to be in these positions to have to play hard ball but that’s where we are. We haven’t had any response at all. We owe it to all the citizens of the town that do comply. We’ve been significantly patient.”

Wilson said he has sent several letters and issued in excess of 25 citations. Ten more citations still have to be delivered, he added.

“Letters have been sent by registered mail and I’ve hired people to serve him, all to no avail,” said Wilson. “The house isn’t occupied and doesn’t really look fit for anyone to live in.

“I’ve met with him a few times, but it’s difficult to catch him on the premises. I videotaped 25 vehicles on Saturday,” he said. “I met with him on Oct.13 and Oct. 14 and he said he was in the process of cleaning up the property, but I’ve seen absolutely no progress.”

If Yaglou moves toward compliance, the town could withdraw its case, said Dennehy.

“We have to have total compliance,” said O’Brien. “Hopefully, this will resolve itself amicably.”